Robin Williams' Ashes Scattered Over San Francisco Bay

By Maria Elena Fernandez

The day after comedy legend Robin Williams was found dead in his Tiburon, California, home, he was cremated and his ashes were scattered “in San Francisco Bay off the coast of Marin County," according to his death certificate obtained by NBC News on Thursday.

Williams, 63, died from "asphyxia due to hanging" on Aug. 11, according to the Marin County Sheriff's Office. His publicist, Mara Buxbaum, said he had recently been suffering from "severe depression." His wife, Susan Schneider, said the Oscar winner had been diagnosed with the early stages of Parkinson's Disease.

Buxbaum declined to comment regarding Williams' cremation and would not say if his family held a private funeral for him. The death certificate said Williams' ashes were scattered on Aug. 12.

Ed Leon, owner of Monte's Chapel of the Hills funeral home, told NBC News his home "assisted the family...they hired us for private matters, and that's all I can say. They entrusted us with their privacy."

Comedian Billy Crystal will lead a special tribute to Williams at the Emmy Awards on Monday. The Throckmorton Theatre in Mill Valley, California, is planning a special comedy night tribute to the comedy genius next month.

Maria Elena Fernandez

Maria Elena Fernandez is the Los Angeles entertainment correspondent. She started this role in May 2013. Fernandez is responsible for covering televsion, film, music, pop culture, and celebrity justice for NBCNews.com and Today.com. Fernandez reports to entertainment editor Courtney Hazlett.

She previously worked at The Daily Beast and Newsweek. Before that, Fernandez was a staff writer at the Los Angeles Times for 12 years. She also spent many years on the crime beat as a staff writer at The Washington Post and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Fernandez is the author of a children's book, "The Secret of Fern Island," which was published in 1996 under a pseudonym so that she wouldn't be stalked by screaming children. Fernandez is a member of the National Hispanic Journalists Association and the Television Critics Association.